Getting from Bali Airport to Lovina isn’t as simple as hopping in a quick cab. Unlike tourist hotspots like Seminyak or Ubud, Lovina sits on Bali’s northern coast, about 90 kilometers away.
Since there are no direct public buses to Lovina, you best options are booking a private driver, taking an airport taxi, or – if you’re feeling adventurous – renting a scooter (although not the best choice for a long ride with luggage).
Whether you’re after the most budget-friendly route or a stress-free airport transfer straight to your hotel, here’s everything you need to know about making your way to Lovina from Bali Airport.
1. Arriving at Bali Airport
Before you arrive at Bali Airport, you will need to prepare and complete a few necessary forms. This will significantly decrease the amount of time spent at the airport.
Electronic Visa on Arrival
You will likely need a Visa for Bali. You can now apply for an Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA) on Indonesia’s official visa website.
Bali Customs Declaration Form
You can now complete the Bali Customs Declaration Form online up to 48 hours before landing in Bali. This is a required form and applies to everyone entering Bali.
Bali Tourist Tax
There is a new tourism levy called the Bali Tourist Tax. This costs IDR 150,000 per person and can be paid online or at the airport.
Indonesia Health Pass
All international passengers arriving in Bali must complete the SATUSEHAT Indonesia Health Pass form. It’s a simply form that declares your recent travel history and health conditions. The form is free to submit.
2. How far is Lovina from Bali Airport?
Since Lovina is on Bali’s northern coast, the entire journey stretches about 90 kilometers from Bali Airport. While that might not sound toof ar, Bali’s winding roads and varying traffic conditions mean the driver can take several hours.
Lovina sits in Buleleng Regency – between Bali’s former capital, Singaraja, and Banjar – home to the famous Brahmavihara-Arama Buddhist temple and Banjar Hot Springs. Heading further west, you’ll hit Pemuteran and West Bali National Park.
3. Travel time from Bali Airport to Lovina
Your journey from Bali Airport to Lovina depends entirely on what time you land. Unlike a quick hop to Sanur or Nusa Dua, getting to Lovina is a much longer trek – expect at least a 2.5 to 3.5 hour drive, and that’s in good conditions.
If you arrive late at night, say after 9:00 pm, you’ll avoid the worst of Bali’s traffic, making the drive smoother. However, keep in mind that parts of the route wind through dark, hilly roads, so it’s best to have an experienced driver.
4. Private Airport Transfer to Lovina
Booking a Bali Airport Transfer is the best way to get to Lovina. This saves yourself the hassle of finding a ride from Bali Airport to Canggu. All of my drivers are personally vetted and all have received excellent reviews.
- ✅ Fixed price – Avoid the unpredictability of metered Bali taxis. No need to haggle.
- ✅ Comfortable ride – Make your way to Lovina in a spacious, air-conditioned SUV.
- ✅ Unlimited waiting time – If your flight is delayed, your driver will wait at no extra charge.
- ✅ Any time of day – Regardless if you arrive early in the morning or late at night, your driver will be waiting for you at the exit doors.
5. Using a Hotel Shuttle Service
Some larger hotels and resorts in Lovina offer an in-house shuttle service from Bali Airport to Lovina. While some of these shuttle services are great, the quality of service might vary.
One thing to watch out for – many hotel shuttles to Lovina are shared, meaning you could be stuck making multiple stops or squeezed in with strangers after a long flight – not exactly the relaxing start to your Lovina getaway.
Also, be sure to check the fine print. Some shuttle won’t wait long if your flight is delayed, leaving you stranded at the airport scrambling for a ride.
If your hotel in Lovina throws in a free airport pickup, take it. That’s extra cash in your pocket for a breachfront Bintang or a Lovina dolphin watching tour.
6. Bali Airport to Lovina with Scooter
If you’re making your way from Bali Airport to Lovina as a solo traveler, renting a scooter in Bali can be a fun and flexible way to explore. But before you start revving, keep in mind – Lovina is a solid 3-hour ride from Bali Airport.
That’s a long haul on two wheels, especially with luggage on the scooter. But, if you’re still up for the adventure, go with a reliable scooter rental company like Bikago. They’re affordable, trustworthy, and can even deliver your scooter at the airport.
The upside to renting a scooter is that it will give you the freedom to get to Lovina from Bali Airport at your own pace. Stop for food, take a rest, grab some photos, and enjoy the ride! However, if this will be your first time on a scooter, I suggest opting for a different mode of transport.
7. Using Taxi Kiosks at Bali Airport
Near the main exit doors at the arrivals area, you’ll find official Airport Taxi kiosks. The booking process is quite straight forward but you’ll need to request a taxi with the staff, who then goes outside to source you a driver.
The advantage of using the Bali Airport Taxi kiosks is that you can lock in a fixed price before agreeing to the ride, saving you from the hassle of negotiating with freelance drivers. No bargaining, no inflated tourist prices – just a set fare.
For a ride to Lovina, expect to pay significantly more than shorter routes, with prices typically ranging between AUD $70-110, depending on the time of day and demand.
The downside? If you get stuck with a rude driver or bad service, there’s no way to leave a review or file a complaint. You’ll have to settle with whatever experience you get.
8. Grab Car Service
Ridesharing apps like Grab and GoJek are great options to get around South Bali, but their availability significantly decreases once you head north. While it’s technically possible to book a Grab Car from Bali Airport to Lovina, you will likely have a hard time finding one willing to take you there (and drive back).
Even if you manage to book a Grab or GoJek, the price will likely be similar to to hiring a private driver or booking a private airport transfer. Additionally, ridesharing apps are not allowed to operate in many parts of North Bali, including Lovina.
9. Freelance Taxis at Bali Airport
One of the biggest headaches when arriving at Bali Airport is running the gauntlet of taxi drivers eagerly waiting outside international arrivals.
These freelance drivers will waste no time approaching you with a “Taxi boss? Need taxi?” or an eager offer to “help” with your luggage – usually followed by a wildly inflated fare. Some will even lie and say they’re from GoJek or Grab.
If you plan to take one of these taxis from Bali Airport to Lovina, be ready to haggle hard. Upon knowing you’re heading to North Bali, their prices increase drastically.
That said, I wouldn’t recommend this option for most travelers. After a long flight, the last thing you want is to dive straight into a negotiation battle. Plus these airport taxis normally don’t use meters, so unless you know the standard fares, you could end up paying way more than you should.
10. Blue Bird Taxi at Bali Airport
Blue Bird Taxi is Bali’s largest taxi fleet, with their signature blue cars everywhere in South Bali. In fact, they’re so common that some sneaky drivers try to pass off fake Blue Birds in the same shade of blue – so always double check the logo or use the Blue Bird App.
While Blue Bird Taxis can drop off passengers at departures, they have some restrictions on picking up riders from arrivals. If you need a workaround: take a short walk up to the departures area and flag one down from there.
But keep in mind, most of these guys will seriously hike up the fares if you ask for a trip to Lovina – around AUD $80 – $120. In this case, it’s not worth it. You’re better of getting a private Airport transfer for the same price.
11. Bali Airport to Lovina with Public Bus
If you’re on a seriously tight budget, you might be considering public transportation to save some money. Unfortunately, there aren’t any public buses that operate from Bali Airport to Lovina, so this isn’t an option for getting up north.
Bali Airport does have a public bus terminal where you’ll find the red Teman Bus fleet, but there only operate within South Bali up to Ubud. Even if you take one to a central terminal like Ubung, there’s no direct route from Bali Airport to Lovina. You will still need to arrange private transportation from there.
12. Bali Airport to Lovina at Night
Getting from Bali Airport to Lovina at night is a whole different story compared to a quick trip to Seminyak or Canggu. Since Lovina is about a 3-hour drive from the airport, a late-night arrival could have you strolling into your hotel well past midnight.
👍 Hint: If you’ve pre-booked a Bali Airport Transfer with us, you’ll all set. Your driver will be waiting no matter how late you land.
But if you’re planning to grab a taxi on arrival, keep in mind that options are more limited at night and fares might be even higher.
13. Costs to get from Bali Airport to Lovina
The travel costs for getting from Bali Airport to Lovina will depend entirely on which mode of transportation you choose.
Our Bali Airport Transfer service will cost around AUD $100 / USD $62. This is a private airport transfer with an air-conditioned SUV and a friendly, English-speaking driver. You also have a few additional options like child-seats and surfboards. Yes, it’s slightly more expensive than the other options but you’re guaranteed to receive excellent service
Hotel Shuttle Services can cost anywhere around AUD $80 / USD $50 to get from Bali Airport to Lovina with one of their in-house drivers. Sometimes it’s a private transfer, sometimes it’s shared. Make sure to ask first.
A GrabCar at the Grab Lounge at Bali Airport to Lovina can start anywhere from AUD $90 / USD $56 and can go higher up to AUD $140 / USD $88. This will depend on demand and time of day.
Freelance taxis at Bali Airport can range anywhere from AUD $80 / USD $50 to AUD $110 / USD $70 – depending if the taxi driver feels like ripping you off or not, it can be higher.
14. Bali Airport Transfer Plus Day Tour
If you’re making the journey from Bali Airport to Lovina, why not turn the long drive into an adventure? Instead of going straight there, consider booking our Bali Airport Transfer plus Day Tour.
With this option, you’ll be picked up from the airport and can make stops at interesting spots along the way like Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Taman Ayun Temple, and more. You can even stop to grab a meal or take some photos.
Your car and driver will be all yours for up to 10 hours before dropping you off in Lovina. The itinerary is completely to to you – visit temples, traditional markets, take a break by the lake and soak in the views. Your driver will keep your luggage safe in the car so you can enjoy the journey with any hassle.
15. Get WhatsApp
No matter how you plan to get from Bali Airport to Lovina, do yourself a favor and download WhatsApp before you even board your flight.
In Bali, WhatsApp is king when it comes to communication. Whether you need to coordinate with your driver, check in with your hotel, or make a reservation at a restaurant, you’ll find that most businesses and locals rely on it instead of traditional calls or SMS.
Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour
If you’re staying outside of Lovina and want to experience the best of North Bali in a day, book our Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour. It’s one of our most popular tours that includes a private boat and captain, and a private car and driver for the day – fuel, taxes, dolphins, and 12 hours from pick-up until drop-off are all included.
FAQs about Lovina
Is Lovina worth staying in?
Yes! If you’re looking for a quieter, more laid-back experience away from Bali’s busier spots, Lovina is the place to be – black sand beaches, dolphins, delicious food, hot springs, and waterfalls – all with a local vibe.
Can I see dolphins in Lovina?
Lovina is actually famous for its early morning dolphin-watching tours. Local boat operates take visitors out at sunrise to spot pods of dolphins swimming just off the coast.
What to do in Lovina?
Besides chasing after dolphins, Lovina and surrounding villages have plenty to offer. See my complete list of things to do in Lovina.
How many days should I stay in Lovina?
I reckon about two to three days is ideal if you want to enjoy the main attractions near Lovina at a relaxed pace. But if you love nature, beaches, and diving, you could easily stay longer without getting bored.
Are there good restaurants in Lovina?
Lovina isn’t exactly a foodie hotspot like Ubud or Canggu, but it still has some great local spots like Warung Apple that serve delicious Indonesian food. See my full list of the best restaurants in Lovina to find good food.
Is Lovina good for families with kids?
Lovina is a great choice for families looking for a quiet getaway. The beaches have calmer waves compared to the south, and activities like dolphin tours, waterfall hikes, and hot springs make it fun for all ages.
More things to do in Lovina
Warung Apple – The Best Indonesian Restaurant in Lovina
Brahmavihara-Arama: All About Bali’s Buddhist Monastery
Lovina Dolphin Watching with Private Boat
Banjar Hot Springs – All you need to know before you visit
25 Best Restaurants in Lovina – Where to find the best food in Lovina
